August 23, 2022
DreamOval Foundation, in partnership with SAP, Irish Aid, UNESCO, and Youth Mobile, has launched African Code Challenge (ACC) 2022. The theme for this year’s challenge is Protecting Life Together. The launch was held virtually via Zoom and was open to the general public.
The Senior Vice President of the DreamOval Foundation, Francis Ahene-Affoh, led the launch of the Challenge. During the event, Mr. Ahene-Affoh discussed the purpose of the African Code Challenge and what the Challenge seeks to achieve. He stated that through the theme selected for this year’s ACC, Protecting Life Together, the Challenge seeks to imbibe in children the needed mindset to resolve environmental issues within their communities.
Francis further mentioned that the Challenge is open to all children between the ages of 8-16 years in Ghana. He discussed the judging criteria and team requirements of the Challenge. To promote gender balance, all teams should have at least a male and female in each team. This also applies to the judging panel of the Challenge. He emphasized the fairness of the challenge, stating that the Challenge is judged by an independent jury. No staff or acquaintance of DreamOval Foundation, would be part of the judges.
Mr. Ahene-Affoh encouraged teachers to take the step to support and guide students with their projects. Through the Challenge, both teachers and students can learn more about coding, developing a game, and how that particular game idea can make this world a better place. On behalf of the DreamOval Foundation team and the partners of African Code Challenge, Mr. Ahene-Affoh launched the 2022 edition of African Code Challenge.
DreamOval Foundation has for over 9 years been implementing STEM related programs across Ghana aimed at bridging the knowledge gap through education and technology especially in deprived communities. In addition to the African Code Challenge, the Foundation has implemented programs such as the Female in Tech Initiative(FeMITI), the Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize, iTeach, free ICT training for teachers from deprived communities, among many others aimed at bridging the digital and gender skills gap
African Code Challenge is an initiative by SAP and UNESCO. This initiative targets young people who are enthused about coding and technology by using a Scratch Game to solve issues in their countries and societies. This also helps unleash their creativity and to express themselves freely on issues and topics that are important to them.
For further information on the African Code Challenge and how to get involved, kindly send an email to challenge@dreamoval.com. Updates of the various stages and events would be provided on the social media pages of DreamOval Foundation.